The increasingly complex nature of warfare from nuclear to low intensity to the unconventional requires the dependence on an elite band of troops: highly trained and motivated to ensure a measured response to sensitive politico-military situations. Special Operations Forces can meet unorthodox security needs that the conventional military find difficult to accomplish.

India has had extensive experience with such forces with different Services and ministries having a vast array of such forces with no national perspective for the raising or employment of such forces. This study addresses these very aspects along with their relevance in our context and suggests the way forward in the next decade.